Federal Jury Convicts Two for Roles in Austin-Based Heroin Distribution Operation

Jose Pardo, age 68, of Austin, and Jorge Carrillo, age 45, of Lockhart, Texas, both face between 10 years and life in federal prison after a jury convicted them yesterday afternoon for their roles in a heroin distribution operation, announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman.

The jury convicted Pardo and Carrillo of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin. Evidence presented at trial revealed the defendants conspired from May 2011 until their arrests in June of 2012 to distribute more than 17 kilograms of heroin. Testimony also revealed that at least on one occasion, heroin was processed after business hours at the Pardo family-owned restaurant, Jovita’s, and that numerous drug transactions occurred right behind Jovita’s in co-defendant Amado Pardo’s house.

Jose Pardo and Jorge Carrillo, along with 12 co-defendants who entered guilty pleas prior to trial, are scheduled to be sentenced at 9:00 a.m. on May 3, 2013, before United States District Judge Sam Sparks in Austin. The alleged ringleader, Amado Pardo, passed away prior to trial.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Austin Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Criminal Justice Office of the Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Guess and Elizabeth Cottingham.